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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Katherine Jakeways
Verdict: Warm and funny
Katherine Jakeways is visually striking. A tall and beautiful woman blessed with far more than her fair share of on-stage charisma, her natural comedic grace infects 8 or so fractionally deranged characters presented in her one and a quarter hour show.
Dr Coral Cox knows more words for shagging, bonking, spearing the furry clam, taking an albino piss (to quote a few) than we do at the start of her impressive talk. Blonde-beehived, in fawn twin-set and red chiffon scarf, Dr Coral's here for Hymen & Mighty, restoring virginity to those who've lost it. Her other courses include What's Going On Down There?, and Allergic To Semen.
Character changes are covered by video clips, including Karen on the top of a bus talking (shouting) on her mobile to her friend Clinton. It's a sharp piece of observed life, appalling and funny.
Sarah Jane Samways has a single obsession - Cliff Richard. She sees him everywhere, including a man pulled out of the audience - to be Cliff. The police have kept her away, but eventually (on film with (KJ as) Roving tv reporter Rosy Balls) Sarah Jane gets backstage at Cliff The Musical. With her permed hair, big round glasses, worn brown shoulder-bag and jeans, Sarah Jane looks the part of a genial obsessive just this side of the fulcrum to madness.
Laura's about to go to secondary school. She talks out her adolescent fears, and gets alarming replies from a voice-over agony aunt.
Hemetra Shecraft is the exact and perfect parody of the creative writing lecturer every writer's met. The house lights come up, and we're her class - playing 'It's Not My Thingo Bingo'. Clipboard in hand, purse on a cord across her shoulder, long and diagonally-striped pink skirt, bleached-blonde hair, Hemetra's look nods to ageing hippy, but probably with baths. As she realises she's missed her bus to a wild night in the West End, her mood and language become progressively unguarded.
Sylvia Fox presents the end-of-season awards to staff at Peter Pan Island, Southend. She's been in the tribute show on Southend Pier over summer, specialising in Tina Turner, Cilla Black, Mrs Thatcher, and Dot Cotton. KJ does all four, as performed by Syvia Fox.
Janet Leckie. Most of the other characters are near-comedy creations. They're close to life, but sufficiently not for us to be able to laugh at them. This character is different. A single mum, she recounts her experiences leading up to her arrest for drunk and aggressive behaviour on a flight. It's a startling piece of acting - Katherine Jakeways builds the power and emotion of the character as she tells the backstory of the incident. It's a fine piece of script, with content that is both unexpected and credible. It is funny, because the character tells it as comedy. But there is a profound poignancy in her situation, life, and reaction to it. When she's reunited with her children (on film) after being sent to prison, it's impossible to hold back a tear.
There's a warmth to Katherine Jakeways's show that is sometimes lacking in comedy, and can be a crucial ingredient. Whereas some performers set up an aggressive and confrontational relationship with the audience, Katherine Jakeways creates a relaxed and friendly atmosphere - that allows her skilful and funny characterisations to speak for themselves. Superb writing (that English Literature degree wasn't wasted), acting that's exactly to the spot and not a trace overdone, and a strong sense of what is extemely funny fill this delightful show.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Written and performed - Katherine Jakeways. Technical operator - venue staff. Director - John Gordillo.
Company Credits: Management - Lisa White at International Artistes.
END
John Park
reviewed Monday 10 November 03 / Hen & Chickens
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
